Carol Vadnais, a 17-year NHL veteran and six-time All-Star who played five seasons with the Bruins, died Sunday at the age of 68.

Vadnais was a defenseman on the Stanley Cup champion 1971-72 Bruins. Vadnais played in all 15 playoff games that season after being a midseason trade pick-up from the California Golden Seals.

Vadnais' death was reported by the Rangers' website. A cause of death was not provided, although Vadnais had been battling cancer.

Vadnais' most productive season came with Boston when he racked up 18 goals and 56 assists in 1974-75. He also fit in with the Big, Bad Bruins of that era, compiling over 120 penalty minutes in each of his three full seasons with Boston, and was not afraid to engage in a fight.

Vadnais played 1,087 NHL games with 169 goals and 418 assists, and had two 20-goal seasons. He was included in the 1975 deal that sent Phil Esposito to the Rangers, and retired in 1983. In addition to the Golden Seals, Bruins and Rangers, he played for the Canadiens and Devils.

After a brief coaching stint, Vadnais became a real estate agent in his native Montreal.